A traditional New England clambake is a feast that, in addition to clams, will include lobster, mussels, potatoes, corn and hot dogs. Yes, hot dogs.

Now, we can’t promise that the latter will appear on Feb. 23 when the Oxford Hotel ballroom, 1637 Wazee St., is transformed into a seaside resort for the 17th edition of Red Wine & Seafood, but this much is certain: Stephen Vice, executive chef of the sponsoring McCormick’s Fish House and Bar, always makes Red Wine & Seafood quite the culinary extravaganza. And so if he decides against putting weiners on the clambake menu, it’s doubtful they’ll be missed.

Red Wine & Seafood is put on by Volunteers of America as a benefit for its Brandon Center, a 118-bed shelter for homeless female veterans and women and children escaping domestic violence situations.

It’s not all that often that a charity benefit’s headliner shows up for the kickoff party. The patron party, maybe; or, a photo op/meet-and-greet held immediately before or after the main event.

Figure skater Scott Hamilton happened to be in Denver on Aug. 5, the date Colorado Neurological Institute was having a cocktail reception to better acquaint committee members and sponsors with the Sept. 24 dinner at which the Olympic gold medalist would be speaking. So he offered to swing by for a minute to meet such principals as benefit chair Quinn Washington; CNI executive director Tami Lack; auctioneer Shelly St. John; Dr. Edward Arenson, medical director of CNI’s Center for Brain and Spinal Tumors; Debra Bandstra, who will emcee the gala; and presenting sponsor Dean Mills of the Denver Group at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney.

The cocktail gathering was chaired by Sarah Tomicich, corporate controller for AlloSource, and held at BNY Mellon Wealth Management in Cherry Creek North. BNY Mellon Wealth Management’s regional president Jon Stuck is treasurer of the CNI board and was on hand to greet the distinguished guests.

Hamilton is no stranger to Colorado. He lived here for 23 years and it’s where he trained for the Olympics. “I miss Colorado a great deal,” he said, adding that he’s anticipating a “spectacular evening” when he returns for the gala. “Fundraisers like this don’t just raise money, they raise awareness. CNI is a wonderful resource; you are very lucky to have it here in your own back yard.”

Since his time as an Olympian, Hamilton has gone on to act, serve as a network TV commentator, deliver motivational talks, write, and survive both cancer and a brain tumor. “Lately,” he joked, “I’ve become better known for my odd hobby of collecting life-threatening illnesses.”

The gala will be at the Marriott City Center and in addition to Hamilton’s talk will include presentation of the Dawn Denzer Community Leader Award to Linda and Dr. Richard Kelley. He is a past chair of the CNI board.

Quinn Washington, also a member of the CNI board and a vice president at Blacktie-Colorado, said he is chairing the gala as a tribute to the memory of close family friend Joe Franzgrote. The former 9News president was treated there for the progressive supranuclear palsy that eventually took his life.

Washington said he is drawing heavily from his network of young professional friends to help make the event a success. The group includes Garret Hommel, who does business development for Footers Catering; Nicole Gampp; Auna Jornayvaz; Jimmy Melton; Liz Ryan; and Leigh Vadas.

Buy tickets, or learn more about An Evening with Scott Hamilton, by visiting thecni.org or calling Mary Catherine Moss, 303-806-7417.

Former Gov. Bill Owens, left, with his daughter, event co-chair Monica Owens, and VOA's director of development, Michael James. (David Zalubowski, Special to The Denver Post)

Red Wine & Seafood has had many themes in its 16 years, and this year co-chairs Monica Owens and Quinn Washington transported guests to New Orleans for a rollicking interpretation of Mardi Gras.

There were beads, a Dixieland jazz band and a grand buffet that featured everything from pan-fried oysters to crawfish etouffee. The 290 guests also could bid in a silent auction, enjoy a variety of red wines and meet the four grand marshalls — Sharon Magness Blake, Pat Cortez, Jean Galloway and Susan Kiely.

Owens said the goal was to raise at least $30,000 for Brandon Center and Theodora House, shelters operated by Volunteers of America for battered or homeless women and their children.